Sioux City Bank Robber Sentenced to Federal Prison

A man who previously had been convicted of burglary in 2004 was sentenced July 8, 2013, to over seven years in federal prison.

Johnnie Hawkins, age 27, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 27, 2013 guilty plea to one count of bank robbery.

Evidence presented by the United States at the guilty plea and two-day sentencing revealed Hawkins had been convicted of burglary in 2004. During the fall of 2012, Hawkins was trafficking and distributing marijuana in and around Sioux City, Iowa. On or about November 8, 2012, Hawkins, knowingly obtained a Colt Defender .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun, and ammunition that he knew was stolen.

On November 10, 2012, Hawkins robbed the Heritage Bank at 4530 Singing Hills Boulevard in Sioux City, Iowa, of $5,954. Hawkins possessed and brandished the stolen and loaded handgun in furtherance of the bank robbery. Hawkins threatened and physically restrained a bank teller in furtherance of the bank robbery.

Hawkins was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. Hawkins was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term, and he was ordered to make $5,954 in restitution to Heritage Bank. There is no parole in the federal system.

Hawkins is being held in the United States Marshals custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by officers of the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.